Racism, which seemed to have been banished many years ago from American basketball, has reappeared in recent days in both the NBA and the WNBA with despicable and totally unacceptable comments from the stands against Draymond Green, a Warriors player, and also against Angel Reece, a Chicago Sky star and one of the best players in the women’s professional basketball league.
In the case of Draymond Green, the controversial Warriors player suffered this type of comments during the third game of the Western Conference semifinals that his team played at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Wolves’ court, although he wanted to downplay the importance of the thugs who uttered them against him.
Racist things were said in Minnesota. I don’t like that these strangers feel important, but yes, racist things were said. And it’s not the first time. In these environments racist things are said
“Racist things were said in Minnesota. I also don’t like that these strangers feel important, you know? But yes, racist things were said. And it’s not the first time. In these environments racist things are said,” revealed the power forward during an appearance on his podcast. These accusations led to the Wolves themselves issuing a formal statement apologizing for the incident.
Green calls for fines and sanctions for these fans
For Green, the lack of accountability is the worst part, and he believes that those who caused the incident on the court should face fines and penalties just like the players: “I’ll tell you the truth: the fans are privileged,” he said. “And when I say that, I mean that they can say pretty much whatever they want, without limits. And if we say something to them, we get in trouble. We lose money. We get fined. All the punishment falls on us.”
Fans are a privileged group… they can say practically whatever they want, without limits. And if we say something to them, we get in trouble. We lose money. We get fined. All the punishment falls on us
And on Saturday, on the opening day of the WNBA, during the thrashing of Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever against Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky (93-58), the intense duel between two of the best players in the league was also marred by racist comments from the stands against the Sky star, who is black.
The WNBA investigates racist abuse of Angel Reese
The Indianapolis Star revealed that the WNBA is investigating this incident involving one or more members of the public. “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all its forms; they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are investigating the matter,” it said in a statement, but did not elaborate on its investigation.
The WNBA condemns in the strongest possible terms racism, hatred and discrimination in all its forms; they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are investigating the matter
The Indiana Fever also issued a statement saying they are aware of the allegations and added that the team is working closely with the WNBA in its investigation. “We remain firmly committed to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players,” the team said.
“Unacceptable” behavior
The WNBA Players Association issued its own statement on the matter. “This type of behavior is unacceptable in our sport. Under the WNBA’s ‘No Room for Hate’ policy, we are confident that the league will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate and timely action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
The unfortunate events were precipitated after Caitlin Clark was sanctioned with a flagrant foul type 1 on her lifelong rival, Angel Reese, even facing both players, who downplayed that specific confrontation. “Let’s not make it into something it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just a good play… I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the kind of player I am.” And Reese summed it up as “a basketball play.”
People shouldn’t be using my name to promote those interests. It’s disappointing. It’s unacceptable. Treating every woman in this league with the same respect is a fundamental human thing that we should all do
Last season, several players who committed fouls against Clark were subjected to a significant amount of racist, sexist and homophobic comments online by people purporting to defend the base, who condemned such behaviour: “People shouldn’t use my name to promote those interests. It’s disappointing. It’s unacceptable,” Clark said. “Treating all the women in this league with the same respect, I think, is a fundamental human thing that we should all do.”
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